Chapter 2
The Elements of Language
Examination Questions
Multiple Choice
2.1 The element of language concerned with how words are put together to make sentences is:
a. syntax.
b. morphology.
c. semantics.
d. pragmatics.
2.2 Eric's teacher said to him, "Can you raise your hand?" after Eric called out an answer. Eric
answered, "Yes." Eric's response violates a rule of which aspect of language:
a. semantics.
b. syntax.
c. pragmatics.
d. morpho-phonology.
2.3 The smallest linguistic unit that carries meaning is a:
a. speech act.
b. phoneme.
c. performance.
d. morpheme.
2.4 Which of the following phrase-structure rules best describes the following sentence:
"The fat cat chased the dog."
a. NP= Art + Noun; VP= V + DO; DO=Art + Noun
b. NP= Art + Adj+ Noun; VP= V
c. NP= Art + Adj+ Noun; VP= V + DO; DO=Art +
Noun
d. NP= Noun; VP= V + DO; DO= Noun
2.5 Phonology is the study of:
a. how language is used in social interaction.
b. the sound system of language.
c. how meaning is applied to words.
d. how words are put together to form
sentences.
2.6 According to semantic theory, the words “colorless” and “green” can not appear together
because they violate:
a. phonological rules.
b. phrase structure rules.
c. the relation principle.
d. selection restrictions.
2.7 Which of the following words does not conform to the phonotactic constraints found in the
English language:
a. brub
b. rlpx
c. plab
d. drun
True-False
2.8 A phoneme may be defined as, “the small linguistic unit that carries meaning.”
2.9 Phonology is the study of the sound system of language.
2.10 Morphological rules govern how words are formed.
2.11 Phrase structure rules are the only kind needed to describe the syntax of a language.
2.12 Syntax is the study of how meaning is attached to words.
2.13 The study of how people vary their language in different conversational situations is called
“speech acts.”
Short Answer
2.14 The plural “S” is an example of a
morpheme.
2.15 The word “sailboats” consists of
morphemes.
2.16 Transformational rules operate on the
________________.
of an utterance to arrive at the
2.17 When a teacher says, “Can you sit down” to a child who is out of their seat, the teacher is
using an
speech act.
2.18 According to the semantic component theory of semantics, all words have certain
features and
restrictions.
2.19 Pragmatics includes the study of
and
.
Essay
2.20 How many morphemes are in the word, “government?” Explain your answer.
2.21 Some linguists have argued that pragmatics is not actually an element of language. Give
two arguments in support of this position and two arguments against.
Chapter 2
Multiple Choice
2.1. Answer: A
Difficulty: E
2.8.
True-False
Answer: F
2.14.
(bound)
Short Answer
2.2.
Answer: C
Difficulty: E
2.9.
Answer: T
2.15.
(three)
2.3.
Answer: D
Difficulty: M
2.10.
Answer: T
2.16.
(deep structure/surface structure)
2.4.
Answer: C
Difficulty: H
2.11.
Answer: F
2.17.
(indirect)
2.5.
Answer: B
Difficulty: E
2.12.
Answer: F
2.18.
(fundamental/selection)
2.6.
Answer: D
Difficulty: M
2.13.
Answer: F
2.19.
(speech acts/conversational rules)
2.7.
Answer: B
Difficulty: E